A Look Inside Excelerate HER 2026, Where Black Women Leaders Talk Wellness and Wealth
Hundreds of the most powerful Black women leaders in finance, health, entertainment and media just wrapped up the 4th annual Excelerate HER, a curated gathering in Miami focused on business, wealth and wellness.
The leadership conference, which boasted speakers including former Vice President Kamala Harris, philanthropist Cookie Johnson, psychiatrist and author Judith Joseph, “Plated Purpose” founder Miss Lawrence and beauty influencer Jackie Aina, has quickly established itself as a community that champions mental health resets and insights that can elevate Black women’s professional impact.
Created by Kimberly Blackwell, a top marketing executive for Fortune 100 companies, the event brought some of the most influential Black women in business, politics and culture to the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne from April 28 to May 1 to be both pampered and productive through panel sessions, executive coaching, financial advising, hair styling stations, an author’s showcase and a Black-owned business marketplace.
On Thursday morning, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and First Lady Dawn Moore took the main stage for a fireside chat. By Thursday night, the same ballroom featured MC Lyte in conversation with 2 Chainz.
Excelerate HER was born out of a need Blackwell saw for a place to take a break from the daily stressors Black women often carry in their families, communities and workplaces, and instead, simply be — without explanation or apology.
The off-the-record discussions give household names the safety to speak candidly in a room of peers.
“When you gather bright minds together as a collective, re-imagination is possible, collaboration is possible,” Blackwell said. “Folks are meeting in the meeting rooms, but they’re also meeting poolside.”
Over the years, women have fostered genuine connections with their fellow eventgoers rather than letting their job titles define them. Excelerate HER also allowed the sisterhood of C-suite leaders to uplift one another. On Wednesday night, attendees literally gave their friends their flowers — exchanging roses and words of appreciation.
The summit awarded trailblazing entrepreneurs, including “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kandi Burruss, media maven Loren Lorosa from “The Breakfast Club,” Urban One founder Cathy Hughes and Diarrha N’Diaye, founder of Ami Colé and the new executive vice president for Skims Beauty & Fragrance.
In addition to celebrating women, the summit has served as a “refill station” for those who pour much of themselves into their personal and professional lives, said Stacie NC Grant, the international president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
Some of that rejuvenation happened spiritually. When gospel artist Le’Andria Johnson performed to close out Wednesday night, the entire room broke out into worship, singing “Hallelujah,” lifting their hands and slowly swaying to the beat.
Other times, relaxation meant using fashion as a form of authentic expression. During themed evenings, attendees wore luxe loungewear, all-black outfits and camouflage pieces à la Destiny’s Child. At lunchtime, women in matching linen sets, beach dresses and floppy hats sat outside in lawn chairs for a roundtable on how Black men can work in solidarity with Black women and a panel featuring science-backed methods for unlocking joy.
Outside the meeting rooms was the Mocha Marketplace, where Black entrepreneurs, including Simone I. Smith, Bruce and Glen Proctor, Jody Davis, Tiannia Barnes and Undra Celeste sold designer clothing, shoes and other products. NAACP Image Award-nominated fiber artist and illustrator Sherry Shine also displayed her artwork, including a quilt she custom-made for the conference.
Despite the pampering and poolside drinks in Miami, it was impossible to escape current events. The ramifications of the Supreme Court’s weakening of the Voting Rights Act disturbed those in attendance who discussed the implications for Black communities across the country.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore told The Root that he believes the High Court’s decision was “one of the most damaging blows to the Civil Rights Movement that we’ve seen.”
Keisha Lance Bottoms said that “this season calls for strong, battle-tested leadership” and encouraged voters to vote all the way down the ballot, including local elections.
“It doesn’t mean that it’s going to always go our way,” she said. “But one way to guarantee that it doesn’t go our way is to not participate.”
